• Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket

International Film Festival Rotterdam 2021 Review – Shorta

February 5, 2021 by admin

Shorta, 2020.

Directed by Anders Ølholm and Frederik Louis Hviid.
Starring Jacob Lohmann, Simon Sears, Tarek Zayat, and Özlem Saglanmak.

SYNOPSIS:

Two policemen become trapped and fight to escape a dangerous distract when violence erupts, following the death of a criminal in custody.

In the last year, the world has seen the death of George Floyd trigger protests against police brutality and racism. The Black Lives Matter movement has grown, and the phrase “defund the police” become popularized. Tapping into the popular social conscience, directors Anders Ølholm and Frederik Louis Hviid have created Shorta, a microscopic look at the violent reaction against law enforcement in the wake of a death of a criminal in custody.

Almost certainly unintentionally, given the proximity of their release dates, Shorta’s premise and style – at least in the setup – is unfortunately similar to that of Oscar nominee Les Miserables, directed by Ladj Ly, but also to 1995 masterpiece La Haine. And where the films differ, Shorta’s shortcomings are painfully shown. Hviid and Ølholm opt to bringing out the action in the situation, allowing for some satisfying chase and fight sequences. But with every gunshot, every wheel screech or burst of flames, the directors sacrifice well built tension. Like the air being let out of a ballroom, the uncertainty of what might be around the next corner evaporates, leaving a flat feeling. The pair repeatedly force the film to start from scratch after a discharge of energy, when holding it in for longer might have made for a bigger explosion of anger and desperation – just like the ending of La Haine.

This isn’t the only problem with Shorta’s reliance on action. Without much real time given to developing the two lead characters, it’s difficult to feel much of a connection, or much empathy for their predicament. Having written as well as directed together, Hviid and Ølholm are aiming for certain markers: the black and white moral standpoint at the beginning of the film fading quickly to grey. Cue the role reversals, and the walking in other people’s shoes. Despite the brutality on display, it’s all actually rather sentimental, hardly scratching the surface of the real issues here.

And as for the two policeman, Mike and Jens, the couple’s actions are so morally ambiguous that it’s hard to ever follow their struggle with any real empathy. We should be asking whether the situation justifies the outcome, and instead we’re wondering whether to run and hide next time we come across a policeman ourselves.

Shorta is far from a poor film. The cinematography is excellent throughout, and the performances from both lead actors, Jacob Lohmann and Simon Sears, are committed and emotionally detailed. The two directors are clearly capable, and the danger and ferocity of the situation is excellently communicated. And if all your looking for is a good action story, this is leagues ahead of your average Liam Neeson Hollywood romp.

It’s just that, if a filmmaker is trying to make an artistic cinematic contribution in today’s world, they simply can’t settle for under-developed characters and predictability. As much as it may not be true for blockbusters, cinema today demands reality of character, no matter how fantastical the situation. Shorta may live in a world we recognise, but it is a little bit too far from presenting real, layered characters in this deadly setting.

Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

Dan Sareen

 

Filed Under: Dan Sareen, Movies, Reviews Tagged With: Anders Ølholm, Frederik Louis Hviid, International Film Festival Rotterdam, Jacob Lohmann, Özlem Saglanmak, Simon Sears, Tarek Zayat

FMTV – Watch Our Latest Video Here

WATCH OUR MOVIE NOW FOR FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Seven Famous Cursed Movie Productions

The Essential Gene Hackman Movies

The Most Obscure and Underrated Slasher Movies of the 1980s

Godzilla Minus One and the Essential Toho Godzilla Movies

The Best Milla Jovovich Movies Beyond Resident Evil

Great 90s Neo-Noir Movies You Might Have Missed

The Essential 90s Action Movies

Can Edgar Wright conquer America with The Running Man?

7 Great Life Affirming Robin Williams Movies

Horror Sequel Highs & Lows

Top Stories:

Movie Review – Saint Clare (2025)

18 Incredible 21st Century Films You May Have Missed

Feel the Heat: 10 Uncomfortably Hot and Sweaty Films

10 Great 1980s Sci-Fi Adventure Movies

James Gunn’s Superman soars with $217 million worldwide box office opening

Movie Review – Eddington (2025)

Comic Book Review – Star Trek: Red Shirts #1

Movie Review – Superman (2025)

STREAM FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

FEATURED POSTS:

The Goonies at 40: The Story Behind the Iconic 80s Adventure

The Most Iconic Moments of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers

Peeping Tom: A Voyeuristic Masterpiece of the Slasher Subgenre

The Rise of Paul Thomas Anderson: A Living Legend

Our Partners

  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

© Flickering Myth Limited. All rights reserved. The reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of the content without permission is strictly prohibited. Movie titles, images, etc. are registered trademarks / copyright their respective rights holders. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you can read this, you don't need glasses.


 

Flickering MythLogo Header Menu
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket